CASE STUDY

Northern Arizona University

From Plastic Frustration to 140,000 Stainless Steel Checkouts in One Year

After switching from plastic reusables to USEFULL’s plastic-free program, Northern Arizona University’s zero waste-dining operations have become the gold standard in campus sustainability.

They are the first school in Arizona to implement a mandatory reusable container system.

Here’s how they got there.

Reuse Snapshot

Transitioned from fragile plastic containers to durable stainless steel

Won Arizona Forward Environmental Excellence Award

10,000+

students registered

140,000+

Container checkouts in year one

<1%

Inventory loss rate

“Whenever we did see people using the [plastic] program, we would hardly ever see them return the container. And the containers that did get returned would end up breaking.“

Jacob Vanetsky

Sodexo Sustainability Specialist at Northern Arizona University

Plastic Reusables Fail to Deliver

Before making the transition to USEFULL, NAU tried a takeout system that used plastic containers.

But the plastic-based program had flaws. The containers frequently broke, and students who borrowed them weren’t bringing them back. The initiative wasn’t popular among students and created headaches for dining staff.

In an entire academic year, the 28,000-student campus logged just 877 container checkouts. Single-use disposables prevailed, and the trash piled up.

Lessons Learned

Importance of durable materials
Container tracking / accountability measures needed to improve return rates
Increased student adoption would require not just a better system, but comprehensive staff training and a full-scale marketing campaign

building back better

Green Fund and Sodexo dining team implement USEFULL

After conducting an environmental and financial cost-benefit analysis, NAU’s Green Fund committed to financing a pilot of USEFULL, with longer term implementation contingent on a one-year review by the Sodexo dining team.

Why USEFULL? The Green Fund’s analysis puts it this way: “USEFULL provides [NAU] updated and integrative technology, direct 24/7 customer service support, employee training, and relevant marketing, as well as uses recycled stainless steel and silicone in place of plastic.”

Notable Improvements

Damage and stain-resistant stainless steel containers
QR code tracking system paired with user-friendly app and return reminder notifications
Customized marketing materials and communications plan

“Before, when we were on single-use containers, there was a constant changing of the garbage bags. But with USEFULL, we no longer need someone to remove the trash as frequently. There’s just a lot less trash!“

Erra, Job title

Sodexo

Reuse scales to more retail spots

Expansion has made reuse ubiquitous across campus.

Sodexo has increased the program from three to seven retail locations, with additional locations planned for 2026. Return stations are now available at various high traffic spots on North and South campuses.

Students ordering from reuse-activated locations receive their meal in a premium stainless steel container for a waste-free, convenient experience.

Next steps

Expanding from 3 to 10 retail locations
Adding new container styles
Integrating with mobile app
Collaboration among operations, sustainability office, and students groups/Green Fund